How to Do Curtains With an Odd Window Placement in a Bedroom

Have you ever wondered what was going through the mind of a builder who decided to put a random window next to a corner? Has an unusually shaped window placed off center on a wall ever made you think, “why?” It’s a phenomenon known as “windows that appear in odd places and make absolutely no sense.” Fortunately, there are decorating solutions for these quirky, unusual or just plain frustrating design challenges.

Wall-to-Wall Curtains

One solution is to cover the entire wall with curtains. This works particularly well if the odd window happens to be on the same wall as the head of your bed. In essence, you will be creating a fabric accent wall that will showcase your bed as the focal point in the room. It’s a relatively easy fix and a great way to add color and texture to the space. However, this solution will only work if you have enough adequate light coming in from another window.

Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains and Corner Rods

If you have one or two unusually shaped windows or two mismatched windows on the same wall, you can create a look of symmetry by hanging extra-long, floor to ceiling curtains over each window. This will create the illusion that all the windows in the room are the same size. If you have windows that meet in a corner, install a corner curtain rod so that the curtains appear to wrap around the corner.

Create a False Window

Sometimes you will find one window on a wall that looks as if it should have had two. An easy fix for this scenario is to create two identical window treatments, such as opaque curtains or wood blinds. This will create the illusion of two windows where there is really only one. The curtains or blinds can be left open on the real window during the day to let in natural light. When the curtains or blinds are closed, they will look exactly the same.

Swags and Jabots

Embrace a window’s oddity with an out of the ordinary window dressing. Instead of trying to cover it up, showcase the window with a swag and jabot window treatment. You can even punctuate an asymmetrical window placement with an asymmetrical jabot that is shorter on one side and longer on the other. The way to coordinate the odd window with the other windows in the room is by using the same fabric for the swag and jabot treatment and curtain panels for the other windows.

Window Film

Another way to tackle an odd window is to leave it bare and use a decorative window film. Window film is similar to contact paper or wallpaper. It has an adhesive on one side that will stick to the glass or adheres by static cling. You can turn the odd window into a stained-glass window, a frosted window or etched window with some type of design. Window film creates privacy glass while still allowing light to enter the room.

About the Author

Michelle Radcliff owned a retail home furnishings business for eight years. Radcliff offers decorating advice on her blog, Home Decorating News, is a regular contributor on interior design at LoveToKnow.com and earned certification as an interior decorator from Penn Foster College in 2013.